The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), March 19, to waive a section of federal law that governs retired VA workers.

The waiver makes it easier for the department to rehire retired VA health care workers and will help VA health care facilities bolster their medical staffs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VA plans to use the waiver authority to begin hiring actions as early as this week, and the department is inviting interested retired physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, respiratory therapists and other medical professionals to register online.

“This action helps give the department surge capacity as needed,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “On behalf of all the Veterans we serve, I thank OPM for its quick action and invite our retired health care workers to consider coming back to VA during this crucial time.”

When rehired, retirees’ salaries are normally reduced to reflect the retirement annuity they are already receiving. However, this waiver eliminates that salary reduction, making the prospect of returning to VA employment more appealing.

Retired VA clinicians who are interested in coming back to VA can register here.

OPM’s waiver authority expires after one year.

More COVID-19 information

For the latest VA updates on coronavirus and commonsense tips on preventing its spread, visit https://www.va.gov/coronavirus.
For more information about coronavirus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

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12 Comments

  1. Bernadette Speiser April 18, 2020 at 06:09

    I have asked this question to OPM and they said to call the local HR. Called the local HR and they said to call OPM

  2. jim bo April 1, 2020 at 12:18

    would gladly come help if requested!!! I have re-applied

  3. Mitch Boudreaux March 31, 2020 at 19:23

    URGENT. The local Pensacola Florida VA Clinic has stopped seeing patients. The VA news letter says if you develop systems contact your local Va facility. Well for days I have done secure messaging, no reply. called many times, no answer, except for the call center eventually answers. I just have a torn muscle and want to see my Doctor or Nurse. The call center informed me the Pensacola VA is not seeing patients. Now Pensacola is in the northwest portion of Florida and does not have the infection problems of south Florida. The Pensacola VA Clinic is a huge newer facility that houses teams of Primary Care Physicians and Nurses, has a Urology, Women’s health, Mental Health, Lab, Physical Therapy and Pharmacy departments that thousands of Veterans depend on. Is it not a duty of paid heath care professionals to see their patients?? Pensacola is a Military town and has thousands of Veterans, with a closed VA clinic?

    After three days I finally got a return call from a Nurse who got me a prescription. They then wanted to mail it to me, I asked if I could pick it up because a torn muscle is painful. When I went in the facility, it was almost empty, except for the VA health care workers who were collecting pay and not with any patients. Its was a empty facility full of staff doing 0.
    What if civilian facility Doctors and Nurses refused to see Parents, they do not. I called around Pensacola, they are seeing their patients. The Pensacola VA Clinic is putting their concerns over the patients, it is shameful! Who is allowing this

  4. Jeanne Umphenour March 29, 2020 at 05:50

    This article doesn’t say how it would effect your Social Security if you are under 66?

  5. Kristen Montero March 27, 2020 at 13:32

    I am a working NP and would happily come back to Mather VA to help.
    Kristen Montero

  6. Kristen Montero March 27, 2020 at 13:31

    I am a current and practicing NP but would happily come back to the VA to help.

  7. abraham conrique March 26, 2020 at 11:06

    I would like to be rehired to VA.
    I am a Vietnam veteran (USN Hospital Corpsman)
    Served with 3rd Marine Division 1965-66 and USS Repose (Vietnam) 1966-69
    USNavy Clinical Laboratory Tech(8417)
    Chief, Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory, VA Hospital, La Jolla California (1971-81)
    Would do anything, from home, to help out during this emergency..

  8. Patricia Hyatt March 25, 2020 at 23:34

    What if you are a retired Registered Respiratory Therapist and you have retired your license?

  9. Belinda Anderson FNP-BC March 25, 2020 at 21:08

    I would like to return to the Longview CBOC if possible, but will consider Tyler, Tex
    Thank you.

  10. Jennifer Falla March 24, 2020 at 22:05

    Recommendations for RN in this climate, in the present day?

    Unencumbered license (non-VA health care worker)
    Non-relocating New Orleans resident
    Med Surg/Mgt 5+YRS
    between employment
    looking to help in the NOW.
    as EMPLOYEE. I’m searching myself, now, too–throwing it out to the world.

    Thank you!

  11. Jennifer Falla March 24, 2020 at 21:37

    Your recommedation, please, for non-retired non-VA employee (with unencumbered RN license).
    Between employments.

  12. Catherine Yeomans March 24, 2020 at 15:02

    I am retired RN from VA. Am interested in rehire at the Marianna, Florida, VA clinic if a position becomes available. Prefer part time but would consider part time.

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